I blindly backed it because I love solo games AND, as an English major, I'm kind of obliged to love Shakespeare (though I prefer Oscar Wilde)...so glad I got a feel for the actual game now, don't regret backing!!
So there are 2 of each dark lady card symbol except for one which has three (sage). You pick one that will be the dark lady and add the other of the other type on the top of the clue pile. So once you know the dark lady cards, wont you know the 3 traits once you reveal that other dark lady card clue? Say you pick one of the rose cards and put the other on top. Once you reveal that first clue, if you know the other card you just know the result already. What am I missing? So in this run through, once you show Emilia, if you know what the other card is the game is over. The game is broken unless you add more cards of EACH symbol and shuffle and eliminate them. Say you have 5 of each symbol, and you randomly remove 3 of each before you play. Then you won't know which of the 5 is the other card. As it stands this game is severely broken.
Matthew De Lorge as we talked about on the KS we don’t agree. If you went through and consciously tried to memorize the Dark Lady cards then that could give you an advantage. But you still have to prove through deduction what her traits are. And through all of that you have to track her hidden movement throughout the game in order to catch her and confront her. Both John (the designer) and Alan (our development director) have played the game more than anyone and haven’t had any issue with the current system breaking the game. And they are two of the smartest guys I’ve ever met! We’re confident that the replayability is still quite high. If you’re interested the print and play files are available on BoardGameGeek. You could check it out and see if your experience is different. Thanks for the input!
Anyhow, I think this is just bad design. I also don't understand why we have to put that card on the top of the clue deck. Does that specific card helps in any way finding the Dark lady?
This does look interesting, but what is the purpose of arranging the cards by letter if you just shuffle them afterwards? Also, what if the Lady can only be in one location, and the symbol on the next card doesn't appear on an adjacent location? Does she just move to whatever location(s) have that symbol?
nevermind the shuffling question. i realized that i misunderstood that you're only cutting the deck, so the cards retain alphabetical order if that's the case, then i guess there can never be a scenario where she could be somewhere without an adjacent location having the next symbol
correct. all 8 character positions define a distinct path she will walk that's totally legal. in the back of the rulebook, there are dozens of additional paths you can create, with variable levels of difficulty (i.e. how often she doubles back or stands till, etc.) :)
So just to be sure. If you select the top row of letters she always moves. So in the section where the annotation that she could have stayed at the house, because you picked the top row letters she in fact must move?
hi there, i'm sorry to say it's been almost 4 years since i played the game and i don't remember all the particulars. but if you ask over here: boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/231218/black-sonata/forums/0 i'm sure you'll get a solid answer! :)
that old copy from half decade ago likely didn't, but the new version maybe? if you ask at boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/231218/black-sonata/forums/0 you're sure to get a solid answer :)
Was there a full run through for this? I seem to recall watching this before - but as a run through. Maybe my memory is failing me... great run down though. The game looks so interesting.
I think it's me getting confused... I think the run down is enough to understand what the game is all about. Definitely looks interesting. Thank you for the run down. :)
We think there is! Since the Dark Lady is random each time, combined with the 56 different hidden movement paths you can set up (each of which starts in a random location), there is quite a bit available in the box.
Bought a second hand copy of this through a Facebook group. I'm loving it but I do have one slight criticism. I find the logical deduction side of the game to be too easy. I've grown u around logic games and puzzles as my mum was very keen. This means I'm very good at them. So far even on hard I've never lost. Not to take anything away from it though as it's a great game.
Really enjoying this new format. I got a perfect feel for the game in 10 mins. More convenient for me and presumably easier for you.
actually, at this point they're much harder, because i really struggle to stiffle my rambling urges. but i'm getting better at it :)
rahdo
Well you managed it well here. Some games no doubt will require a more thorough run-through and you can let loose your ramble!
Thanks for the rundown Rahdo! Fantastic work as always. Glad you enjoyed the game!
I blindly backed it because I love solo games AND, as an English major, I'm kind of obliged to love Shakespeare (though I prefer Oscar Wilde)...so glad I got a feel for the actual game now, don't regret backing!!
So there are 2 of each dark lady card symbol except for one which has three (sage). You pick one that will be the dark lady and add the other of the other type on the top of the clue pile. So once you know the dark lady cards, wont you know the 3 traits once you reveal that other dark lady card clue?
Say you pick one of the rose cards and put the other on top. Once you reveal that first clue, if you know the other card you just know the result already. What am I missing?
So in this run through, once you show Emilia, if you know what the other card is the game is over. The game is broken unless you add more cards of EACH symbol and shuffle and eliminate them. Say you have 5 of each symbol, and you randomly remove 3 of each before you play. Then you won't know which of the 5 is the other card.
As it stands this game is severely broken.
Matthew De Lorge as we talked about on the KS we don’t agree. If you went through and consciously tried to memorize the Dark Lady cards then that could give you an advantage. But you still have to prove through deduction what her traits are. And through all of that you have to track her hidden movement throughout the game in order to catch her and confront her.
Both John (the designer) and Alan (our development director) have played the game more than anyone and haven’t had any issue with the current system breaking the game. And they are two of the smartest guys I’ve ever met! We’re confident that the replayability is still quite high.
If you’re interested the print and play files are available on BoardGameGeek. You could check it out and see if your experience is different. Thanks for the input!
Anyhow, I think this is just bad design. I also don't understand why we have to put that card on the top of the clue deck. Does that specific card helps in any way finding the Dark lady?
Dustin Culbertson they addressed the problem meaning they understood one was there. That is all I have to say on the matter.
This does look interesting, but what is the purpose of arranging the cards by letter if you just shuffle them afterwards? Also, what if the Lady can only be in one location, and the symbol on the next card doesn't appear on an adjacent location? Does she just move to whatever location(s) have that symbol?
nevermind the shuffling question. i realized that i misunderstood that you're only cutting the deck, so the cards retain alphabetical order
if that's the case, then i guess there can never be a scenario where she could be somewhere without an adjacent location having the next symbol
correct. all 8 character positions define a distinct path she will walk that's totally legal. in the back of the rulebook, there are dozens of additional paths you can create, with variable levels of difficulty (i.e. how often she doubles back or stands till, etc.) :)
It sounds like Scotland Yard and Outfoxed had a baby! :-)
Yeah, the keyhole bit just screams Outfoxed
So just to be sure. If you select the top row of letters she always moves. So in the section where the annotation that she could have stayed at the house, because you picked the top row letters she in fact must move?
hi there, i'm sorry to say it's been almost 4 years since i played the game and i don't remember all the particulars. but if you ask over here: boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/231218/black-sonata/forums/0 i'm sure you'll get a solid answer! :)
are the cards linen finish?
that old copy from half decade ago likely didn't, but the new version maybe? if you ask at boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/231218/black-sonata/forums/0 you're sure to get a solid answer :)
Thanks for running through Black Sonata! Your video has been added to the Black Sonata game entry at www.pnpparadise.com/black-sonata
Was there a full run through for this? I seem to recall watching this before - but as a run through. Maybe my memory is failing me... great run down though. The game looks so interesting.
i haven't done one, but there is one or two on the kickstarter page from other folks :)
I think it's me getting confused... I think the run down is enough to understand what the game is all about. Definitely looks interesting. Thank you for the run down. :)
One Stop Co-Op Shop did a full solo playthrough.
Looks very interesting. I wonder if there is enough replay value...
We think there is! Since the Dark Lady is random each time, combined with the 56 different hidden movement paths you can set up (each of which starts in a random location), there is quite a bit available in the box.
Add the fair youth expansion for increased replay value. It has 5 modules to mix and match.
Bought a second hand copy of this through a Facebook group. I'm loving it but I do have one slight criticism.
I find the logical deduction side of the game to be too easy. I've grown u around logic games and puzzles as my mum was very keen. This means I'm very good at them. So far even on hard I've never lost.
Not to take anything away from it though as it's a great game.
Gosh this video gave me motion sickness.
Thames....pronounced Tems. Sorry to be picky
sorry, the best you'll get out of me is "tames". i know better, but i just cannae do it!
rahdo each to their own my man. ;-)